Table of contents

CONTENTS
Dedication v
Preface vii
Acknowledgements ix
Table of Cases xi
Table of Statutes and International Instruments xv
List of Abbreviations xix

1 GENERAL INTRODUCTION 1
1.0. Background of the Study…………………………………………………………….1
The Libertarian Theory……………………………………………………………………25
Theory of Legitimacy………………………………………………………………………29

2. THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR REGULATING CAMEROON’S OIL INDUSTRY 33
2.0. Introduction……………………………………………………………………………..33
2.1. Applicable Law on the Establishment of Oil Companies…………..35
2.2. The Implications of Non-Domestication…………………………………..36
2.3. Contractual Arrangements for the Exploitation of Petroleum Oil in Cameroon…………………………………………………………………………….37
2.3.1. Concession Contracts…………………………………………………38
2.3.2. Production Sharing Contracts (PSC)…………………………..38
2.4. Applicable Law on Operation……………………………………………………39
2.4.1. Local Legislation…………………………………………………………39
2.4.1.1. The Petroleum Code……………………………………….39
2.4.2. Rules of International Law………………………………………….41
2.4.2.1. Soft Law………………………………………………………….41
2.4.2.2. Hard Law………………………………………………………..46
2.4.2.2.1. The U.N. Charter…………………………….47
2.4.2.2.2. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights………………………………………………49
2.4.2.2.3. The Covenants…………………………………51
2.4.2.2.4. The African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights…………………………………53

3. ESTABLISHING THE RIGHTS HOLDER 57
3.0. Introduction……………………………………………………………………………..57
3.1. The Principle of Permanent sovereignty Over
Natural Resources. …………………………………………………………………..58
3.1.1. Evolution of the Concept…………………………………………….59
3.2. Methods of Treaty Interpretation………………………………………………60
3.3. PSNR, State or People Centered?………………………………………………63
3.4. The Definition of the Concept of “Peoples”……………………………….72
3.5. Effects of a People-Centered Interpretation of the Principle of PSNR……………………………………………………………………………………76

4. THE PEOPLES’ RIGHT TO DEVELOPMENT 83
4.0. Introduction……………………………………………………………………………..83
the case of cameroon . xxv
4.1. An Historical Overview of the Right To Development………………83
4.2. The Legal Status of the Right To Development………………………….87
4.2.1. Multilateral Treaties……………………………………………………89
4.2.2. Regional Instruments………………………………………………….90

5. THE RIGHT TO A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT 93
5.0. Introduction……………………………………………………………………………..93
5.1. Evolution of the Right to a Healthy Environment……………………..96
5.2. Recognition of the Right…………………………………………………………101
5.2.1. International Recognition of the Right………………………101
5.2.2. National Recognition of the Right to a Healthy Environment…………………………………………………………….102
5.2.3. Regional Recognition of the Link Between Human Rights and the Environment……………………………………..103
5.3. Theoretical Basis for the Right to a Healthy Environment……….105
5.3.1. The Right Must Benefit Recognized Individuals………..107
5.3.2. The Right Must Impose Duties Upon a Recognizable Group. ……………………………………………………………………..110
5.3.3. There Must Be a Causal Link Between the Duties and the Right…………………………………………………………………………111
5.3.4. The Duties Must Be of a Kind that the Court Can Recognize and Enforce……………………………………………..113

6. RIGHTS-BASED DEVELOPMENT/ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION FOR CAMEROON 115
6.0. Introduction……………………………………………………………………………115
6.1. Oil Exploitation and the Right To Development
in Cameroon ………………………………………………………………………….115
6.2. Does Oil Exploitation in Cameroon Pose a Real Threat to the Environment?…………………………………………………………………………118
6.2.1. Environmental impacts……………………………………………..120
6.3. The Need for a Rights-Based Environmental Regulation for Cameroon’ Oil Industry…………………………………………………………..124

7. MANAGING CAMEROON’S OIL INDUSTRY 129
7.0. Introduction……………………………………………………………………………129
7.1. Operationalizing the Rights…………………………………………………….129
7.2. Importance of the Transparency in the Management of
Oil Revenue…………………………………………………………………………….133
7.3. Loopholes in Cameroon’s Oil Sector Transparency Initiative…..135
7.4. Current Struggles……………………………………………………………………136
7.5. The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) ………..137
7.5.1. Background………………………………………………………………137
7.5.2. EITI Status in Cameroon…………………………………………..143
7.5.3. The Monitoring and Implementation Committee……..146
7.6. Publis What You Pay ………………………………………………………………148
7.6.1. Origin……………………………………………………………………….148
7.6.2. Transparency of Contracts and Licensing Procedures.149
7.6.3. Transparency of government expenditure ………………..150
7.6.4. Transparency of company payments and government revenues……………………………………………………………………150
7.7. Global Reporting Initiative……………………………………………………..152

8 COMPLIANCE AND ENFORCEMENT MECHANISMS 157
8.0. Introduction……………………………………………………………………………157
8.1. The Role of the Legislator………………………………………………………..158
8.1.1. Factors Militating Against the Legislator……………………159
8.1.2. Legislative Oversight of the Chad–Cameroon Pipeline Project………………………………………………………………………163
8.1.2.1. An Overview of the Chad–Cameroon Pipeline Project………………………………………………………….163
8.1.2.2. The Legal Framework for the Project…………….164
8.1.2.3. Ambiguities in the COTCO Convevtion……….166
8.2. The Role of the Judiciary…………………………………………………………169
8.2.1. Weaknesses of the Cameroon Judiciary……………………..169
8.2.1.1. The Lack of Judicial Independence……………….171
8.2.1.2. The Inadequacy of Judicial Protection…………..175

9. JUSTICIABILITY OF THE RIGHTS TO A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT AND TO DEVELOPMENT 179
9.0. Introduction……………………………………………………………………………179
9.1. Requirements for Justiciability………………………………………………..180
9.1.1. Locus Standi……………………………………………………………..180
9.1.2. Exhaustion of Local Remedies…………………………………..181
9.1.3. Political Questions Doctrine……………………………………..181
9.1.4. Lack of Sufficient Interest in the Subject Matter………..182
9.2. The Justiciability Controversy………………………………………………….182
9.2.1. Public Law Litigation………………………………………………..188
9.2.1.1. Cause of Action…………………………………………….190
9.2.1.2. Locus Standi ………………………………………………..191
9.3. Actions Against Oil MNCs in the U.S. for Violating Human Rights Abroad…………………………………………………………………………192
9.3.1. The Case Against Unocal and Total…………………………..194
9.3.2. The case against Coca-Cola……………………………………….194
9.3.3. The cases against Texaco/Chevron (re Ecuador)………..195
9.3.4. Chevron lawsuit (re Nigeria)…………………………………….196
9.3.5. Wiwa v. Shell ……………………………………………………………197
9.3.6. Kiobel v. Shell……………………………………………………………198
9.3.7. Talisman lawsuit (re Sudan)………………………………………199
9.3.8. The Rio Tinto Lawsuit……………………………………………….199
9.4. Restrictions on the Role of the ATCA……………………………………..201
9.4.1. Personal Jurisdiction…………………………………………………201
9.4.2. The Doctrine of Forum Non Conveniens………………….202

10. RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSION 207
10.1. Recommendations………………………………………………………………..207
10.1.1. The Norwegian Experience …………………………………….207
10.1.2. The Concept of Trust Funds…………………………………….210
10.1.3. Recommendations to the Legislature………………………213
10.2. Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………215
Bibliography 217